Bird eyeing fifth consecutive
Jack Frost Stages Rally victory

Paul Bird has confirmed he’ll go for a fifth consecutive victory in the Jack Frost Stages Rally at North Yorkshire’s Croft Circuit on Sunday.

Cumbrian Bird will be back in his mighty Ford Focus WRC for the event, organised by the Darlington & District Motor Club.

Indeed, it follows just several weeks after the Northallerton Automobile Club’s Christmas Stages event which attracted a bumper crowd.

Similarly, all eight timed stages that make up the Jack Frost’s competitive 50 miles will be held within the grounds of Croft Circuit meaning superb viewing facilities for the public.

TBird’s winning streak, meanwhile, could be under threat.

No fewer than three iconic ‘Group B’ Metro 6R4s – those of past double winner Chris Wise from Thirsk, Simon Chapman and Mark Jasper – are on the increasingly competitive entry list.

Ian Woodhouse – fifth on the Christmas Stages - and Darlington’s Paul Swift, who retired when expected to challenge for victory, will both be on the starting line in their spectacularly driven iconic Ford Escort Mk2s.

A big mix of other favourite rallying models from Mitsubishis, Subarus, Peugeots, Citroens and Vauxhalls are included as well as some rarer finds. Almost 70 entries have been received to date.

Darlington & District Motor Club Chairman Terry Wright commented: “The Jack Frost has come a long way since we first ran the event in 2000 and is now a well established part of the North East motor sport scene.

“Certainly it also attracts a lot of marshals from many motor clubs right across the region.

“In fact many top-line drivers traditionally use the event as a warm-up for their big seasons ahead and that is why we are able to attract not only a large entry list but also a number of very competitive drivers and cars.

“We also take care to design into the stage lay-outs certain sections that enable the smaller cars to come back at the larger cars on time which adds to the excitement and atmosphere for the public.

“Our club is very proud of this event which we believe is a great advertisement for motor sport in the North East – it’s certainly looked at with considerable envy by many other clubs around the UK.”

he action will get under way shortly after 9.15am with gates opening at 8.30am.

Also on site will be a service area where fans will be able to see teams working on cars throughout the day.

Tickets are priced £10 per adult on the gate with admission for accompanied children aged 15 and under free.

Visit the www.croftcircuit.co.uk website and also the DDMC’s own www.darlington-motor-club.org.uk pages for more details.